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Will leads me to the entrance of the hotel, opening the door for me. A discreet, but classy black car awaits in the hotel round about. Will opens the back door and lends me a hand to get in, before sliding in after me. He would hire a driver for the night. Gosh, his world is different from mine.
“Were you into her?” I ask as we settle into our seats.
“Huh?” Will asks as he taps away at his phone.
“The girl I look like. Were you into her?” I clarify as he looks at me.
“She was beautiful, but no, I was loyal. Turns out Samantha was just projecting her own guilt onto me.” He goes back to tapping away on his phone, but I see the lingering hurt in his eyes.
“I’m sorry she hurt you. We don’t have to go to this tonight. We can go get dinner instead or go back to the hotel and watch a movie.” I suggest, and I mean it. I would be happy to spend the night with him in any capacity.
“It is fine. If I back out now, I will look like a fool.” He shakes his head, eyes still on his phone. I wish he would look at me.
“Okay, but as soon as you’ve had enough, we are leaving.” I promise. I’m not going to let this wedding pull him deeper into his cynicism.
The reception venue is the stuff of movies. It is an elegant glass and reclaimed wood reception hall, filled with white flowers and greenery. It is positioned on the ocean side cliffs and surrounded by perfectly manicured gardens, in which tables, a dance floor, and decorations for the reception have been arranged.
Will picks two seats at random on the bride’s side of the aisle and I’m glad he decided to be inconspicuous for the ceremony. No need to rattle the poor bride’s nerves any more than they already will be.
When the wedding March begins, I’m excited to see the girl Will used to love. The one who broke his heart. I know it is wrong, but I want to see how I measure up.
Arm in arm with her father, she appears. Her dress is stunning, and she moves with an elegance I certainly don’t possess. Though a veil covers her face, I can tell she is lovely. A classic beauty with dark brown hair, creamy skin, and big dark eyes. I can’t help but compare her to myself, though I hate myself for it. She couldn’t be more different than me if she tried.
Her soon to be husband looks at her with visible joy in his eyes and as they exchange their vows, I momentarily forget that I was only invited here to spite the bride. They love each other, and while it doesn’t heal the hurt she caused Will, it is beautiful.
“Are you tearing up? You are supposed to be my moral support.” Will whispers, mock outrage on his face.
“I can’t help it! I want what they have.” I whisper back wistfully.
“To cheat on your boyfriend, but feel okay about it because the guy you cheated with turned out to be your one and only?” Will asks his tone completely incredulous as is his expression.
“No. Shhh, you are ruining it.” I shush, dabbing at the tears in my eyes.
“Can’t have that, can we?” Will mutters, but I know he is more amused than angry.
After the conclusion of the ceremony, Will guides me outside where the reception is beginning. We take our assigned seats at a table furthest from the bride and groom’s own table. Guess whoever arranged the tables wanted Will out of sight.
“Ugh, even the salad is better than anything I’ve had in the last couple of weeks.” I moan as I take another bite.
“Considering you’ve only had drive-thru food, pizza, and burgers for the past few weeks, it really isn’t a high accomplishment.” Will comments, but I notice him eating his salad with gusto as well.
“Pizza is a super high standard to beat.” I argue, stabbing more salad onto my fork.
“Not when it comes out of a gas station.” Will has a point, so I nod. Most of what we have been eating for the past month has been questionable.
“True.” I say before going back to eating.
We are finishing up our last course when the bride and groom approach our table. There are several other people seated with us, but the bride’s eyes remained locked on me. Her smile is strained as she talks to the other guests. When she finally finishes up with them, she turns to Will with a manufactured smile. I feel bad that she obviously feels nervous and on edge with us here, so I give her a soft smile, hoping it calms her nerves.
“Will, I’m so glad you could make it. You look so familiar. Did you go to university with us?” The question is directed at me, but her eyes are on Will, closely monitoring his reaction.
“Not unless you two went to the University of Alabama?” I say with a smile. Will wasn’t wrong about my looking familiar.
“Where? Sorry, you just look so familiar. How did you two meet?” She looks so flustered that I want to just come out and tell her the truth, but Will saves me before I can tell her I’m not the girl she thinks I am.
“Hannah is working on a story with me.” Will wraps an arm around the back of my chair as he says it and I can’t tell if he wants her to believe we are together or not.
“You’re writing again? That is great, Will. I can’t wait to read it.” Samantha’s joy is genuine and I’m glad she cares enough to see Will fulfilling his passion again.
